View source for Halo: Battle for the Academy - Part 2

==Plot Synopsis==
{{Summarize}}
{{Spoiler/begin}}
In 1532 hours, immediately after the first part, at the [[Hesychius Mountains]], the Banished adhere to the rare tradition of parley, a practice established by [[Atriox]] from its fledgling start and based on the ancient Sangheili formation; very rare do Banished engagements end bloodlessly. [[Ilsa Zane]], the negotiator, steps forward, to her left [[daskalo]] Chieftain [[Atticus]], who serves as parley advisor.

Zane chooses to forgo a bodyguard, a bold statement of her confidence and strength. They have spent several hours past arrival scouting the area, identifying strategic spots for their impending invasion and scouting local outposts, while Atticus shares insights on the political landscape of the Banished. A hundred meters away, Commander [[Laurette Agryna]] approaches in an [[M15 Razorback]], accompanied by two other Spartans, including [[Sigrid Eklund]] and [[Hieu Dinh]], the latter who Zane chillingly recognizes.

The Banished Spartan sharpens on the Commander, demanding [[Iratus]]' return in exchange for sparing the lives of her enemies. She offers a deal: The AI, and preferably Dinh, then her forces withdraw without bloodshed. Agryna, unyielding in look and answer, refuses; Zane smiles at Agryna's refusal.

The clouds part to reveal ''[[Ghost of Kholo]]'' looming overhead and deploying [[drop base]]s and pods, unleashing alien warriors eager for battle. [[Banshee]]s emerge as protective escorts for the [[Phantom]] dropships. Zane and Atticus head toward an FOB while Agryna and her Spartans retreat to the Academy to mount defenses. The warriors of Zane's clan brace for their formidable challenge yet, with the opportunity to earn the title of Spartan Killers.

Three hours later at 1849 hours on the main campus, Spartan [[Eusebio]] finds himself under heavy fire from a Banshee, which tears through the [[drop wall]] he has deployed. The plasma blasts sizzle against the shoulder and chest of his [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]], prompting him to roll for cover behind a concrete barrier. As he observes the incoming Banished drop pods, he reflects on his [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]] past, now questioning whether this battle will end in little hours.

Agryna calls for Eusebio's attention, signaling him with hand gestures to prepare for the oncoming assault. Eusebio responds by leveling his [[VK78 Commando]] at the advancing Banished forces. Agryna mirrors his actions, taking down three [[Unggoy]] and a [[Jiralhanae]] with her rifle and then using her [[Mk50 Sidekick]] to headshot a [[Kig-Yar]] pair before instructing her team to fall back to a designated waypoint. She communicates with Eklund, who is struggling to hold her position at a relay junction, running low on ammo.

Agryna assigns Dinh to gather [[O'Brien (Spartan)|O'Brien]] and [[Sinclair]] to assist Eklund while she, Eusebio, and [[Denning]] head for the bay door. Agryna grapples with the grim odds, questioning her decisions and whether she has adequately prepared her Spartans for the onslaught—simulations consistently had lessons learned and lives saved.

Dinh reaches Eklund, who is focused on the Banished frontlines. Their banter on past experiences at [[Dansenia]] and [[New Berlin]] is cut short as Eklund instructs O'Brien to cover her while she reloads. O'Brien, as ordered, engages a [[Jiralhanae Berserker]] with her rifle, but is pinned against a wall, shields depleted by concentrated fire. Sinclair mounts and knifes multiply the Jiralhanae's shoulders to save her but is thrown aside by the Berserker, the wall smash dislodging his helmet and making him spit mouthfuls of blood.

Dinh distracts the Berserker with his [[M392 DMR]] while Eklund avoids another Jiralhanae's [[gravity hammer]], but the Berserker gets to and crushes Sinclair's head with both bloodsoaked fists, before which the collapsed Spartan gives a middle finger. Dinh empties his [[CQS48 Bulldog]] killing the Berserker, avenging Sinclair as the alien drops atop his corpse. Dinh tells Eklund, who tossed the shotgun aside, to retreat inside, sealing the bulkhead door behind them while carrying the knocked-out O'Brien.

A few moments later, Eklund directs medics to assist O'Brien while Dinh expresses concern about their limited time. Agryna contacts them, outlining a lockdown plan: Put anyone on gate duty, get Marines take [[Wounded in action|WIA]] to medbay, and meet her at Ops West. The Commander elaborates that fireteams are enacting the [[Cole Protocol]] as part of damage limitation. Before they can strategize more, Iratus interrupts, asserting control and opening all doors and gates in the Academy, then Banished troops pour in, inviting more chaos.

The following day at 0327, aboard ''[[Sword of Conjunction]]'', Shipmistress [[Vedu 'Ehtar]] rises from her command chair as her ship exits slipspace, Nysa visible through the bridge's viewport. The crew, a mix of [[Sangheili]] and [[Human]]s, begins processing incoming data from the ship sensors. A holographic representation of Nysa appears in the center of the room, updating in a few centals with critical intel.

[[Ensign]] [[Sethu]] reports that scout-[[eye]]s have been launched and are approaching the target area. The visual feeds from the probes display a dire scene: Phantom dropships are converging on Nysa's Academy facilities, and Banished occupational infrastructure spreads on the whole continent. [[War skiff]]s and [[Qavardu Workshop Gravemaker]] battle-nests emerge from outposts, while a [[Barukaza Workshop siege-hauler]] craft fleet transports supplies from the Banished dreadnought.

Shipmistress 'Ehtar had hoped to engage the Banished with her ship, but realizes that attacking such a massive dreadnought with her frigate would be suicidal due to their lack of firepower and comparatively below-third tonnage. Instead, their mission is to assess the situation and utilize their speed to reach Nysa quickly.

[[Lieutenant]] [[Mercer]] informs her that {{UNSCShip|Fearful Symmetry}} is on the line. 'Ehtar confirms the connection, and [[Jun-A266]] appears, ready to receive her assessment. She informs him of the full-scale invasion and that evacuation procedures must begin as soon as his ship, at the [[Hyades system]] edge, arrives.

Jun acknowledges her command, and his hologram disappears, leaving 'Ehtar to ponder the human's "lay the table" metaphor, embodying her peculiarly frequent experience of their figures of speech. She orders the launch of Banshee talons—[[Amity Wing|Amity]], [[Harmony Wing|Harmony]], and [[Sympathy Wing]]s—to harass Banished to cover the evacuation. She also directs the [[Riftborn]] operatives to prepare for immediate deployment, ensuring that her crew is ready to act as soon as ''Fearful Symmetry'' arrives.

Ten minutes later at the deployment bay, [[Ovi 'Taar]] and Spartan [[Adrian Vesco]] gear up with their fellow Riftborn operatives—[[Babych]], [['Toizari]], [[Prentis]], and [['Ookol]]—when the order to drop arrives. Vesco stows an {{Pattern|Erudo'ma'keth|pulse carbine}} while 'Taar fixes an [[M739 SAW]] to his pod. 'Taar jokes about his rank being "private," and then Unggoy prebattle cowardice.

Once inside their stealth-specialized {{Pattern|Yado|Intrusion Carapace}}, they synchronize their TEAMCOM and TEAMBIO systems. A Sangheili officer expresses clan and kin in victory and gives the countdown for deployment, and Vesco feels the jolt as the pod is released from ''Sword of Conjunction'', plummeting through Nysa's atmosphere. He hums old shanties to calm his nerves, reflecting on the differences of this drop compared to being in any HEV.

The pod, with five others, impacts with a thud, and Vesco leaps into action, quickly regrouping with 'Taar after 100 meters out.  Babych orders that Agryna be saved, and if possible other survivor groups, then trigger locator beacons for pickup. They head toward the Academy's main complex, finding all entrances open, indicating that the Banished likely control the area while UNSC forces are holed up. Vesco detects friendly IFFs nearby, prompting them to move quickly.

Within the armory, they drop down to an apparent firing range adjacent to an armory, and spot a giant [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] distributing weapons to Banished—five [[Kig-Yar]] with Human sniper rifles and two Bulldog-armed Jiralhanae—from purged lockers. 'Taar uses his [[UNSC tactical eyepiece|tactical eyepiece]] to relay information to Vesco, who prepares to engage. They silently agree to attack, and Vesco leaps into the armory, tossing fragmentation grenades at the enemy. The Chieftain reacts quickly, creating a shockwave that scatters the Banished, killing two Kig-Yar and stunning a Jiralhanae. Breaching, 'Taar takes out the other Kig-Yar and Vesco unloads five Sidekick rounds into the stunned Jiralhanae's head.

However, the Chieftain tackles Vesco, forcing him to fight for control. 'Taar fires at the Jiralhanae's side, but the Chieftain's [[gravity hammer]] sends a weapons locker crashing into 'Taar, injuring him before Vesco's dive. Vesco uses up the SAW's 17 last rounds at the Chieftain, shredding his armor. The Jiralhanae remains undeterred, snatching the SAW and delivering a powerful punch to Vesco's head, knocking him to his knees.

A dozen Marines led by a Spartan in cream-white armor burst into the armory at a far door, forcing the Chieftain to retreat, one Marine taunting him. Vesco crawls to 'Taar, who is trapped and struggling to breathe. As 'Taar's vitals decline, he attempts to make a joke, but his condition worsens, and he goes still.

Vesco could hear Agryna ordering [[Corporal]] [[Agnes Neely]] to clean a room of surprises, Neely affirming so, but overwhelmed with concern at his [[2555|five-year]] brother-in-arms, he watches as the armory's bay door closes behind 'Taar, leaving him with the sound of the Commander assuring him that medical help is on the way.

In the AI lab at 0429, Agryna sets down Vesco, a stranger to her, by the lab door and signals for a corpsman to assist him. Outside, Neely and the other Marines establish barricades facing a bulkhead door leading to the training grounds. Chief Engineer [[Hannah Roberts]] approaches Agryna with news of a transmission from another facility, indicating that the Cole Protocol has been initiated by Spartan reinforcements, which Dinh takes as [[Rook]]'s doing.

He questions the effectiveness of the Cole Protocol, and Roberts explains that it will delete highly classified intel including data that Iratus has scavenged along with local carriers that downloaded said data, as updated by the [[RUINA]] anti-rogue AI failsafe upgrade. Eklund realizes that the AI will need to find shelter, likely returning to his facility for safety. Iratus' hologram appears just as Dinh desires to crush him in his fist, taunting them about the stalemate and the impending Banished arrival.

Roberts activates a containment shield on the holotable, as Agryna orders. Vesco regains his footing and introduces himself. He reveals that he and his team arrived on ''Sword of Conjunction'' to assess the situation and signal for ''Fearful Symmetry'' to assist evac. Vesco's mission is to survive to fight another day, which contrasts with Agryna's determination to fight to win.

Vesco produces a locator beacon from his armor thigh to signal for ''Symmetry''{{'}}s extraction, urging Agryna to prepare for a Pelican pickup. Agryna insists on holding the fort, but Roberts asserts her authority as head of cybersecurity, stating that her priority is to remove as much data from Iratus as possible. The Marines express their willingness to stay and buy time for the Spartans.

Vesco confirms that the ''Symmetry'' has locked onto their beacon, prompting Agryna to confront her conflicting emotions. After a moment of contemplation, she nods in agreement with Roberts, acknowledging the necessity of their plan. Roberts encourages them to leave quickly.

A dozen minutes later, Pelican ''[[Bravo 198]]'', descends towards the Academy's landing pad. Jun observes the devastation below, with buildings aflame and plumes of smoke rising into the sky. A Banished dreadnought looms a few kilometers out. Jun checks in with the captain, confirming that the distraction they ordered is ready.

The [[Chief of Staff of Spartan Operations|COSSPAR]] gives the command to fire, and ''Fearful Symmetry'' unleashes a [[Brightlance reflex laser]] at the dreadnought, temporarily disabling its systems before the frigate speeds away. Once the Pelican lands, Jun heads into the troop bay where [[Rosenda-A344]], clad in MJOLNIR and fresh inspecting her [[Hydra]], hands him a sniper rifle. Although he has been off the field for years, inducing bare hesitation, he accepts the weapon, knowing he needs to be prepared and recalling [[Musa Ghanem]]'s quip on his rare nature as a retired OG Spartan.

The pilot announces touchdown, and Jun and Rosenda exit the Pelican onto a tarmac littered with wreckage and the bodies of fallen Marines. Jun checks his wrist-mounted UGPS device, confirming a signal from a Riftborn operative. As they wait for the survivors to emerge, a Banshee scout approaches. Jun takes aim with his sniper rifle while Rosenda fires her Hydra at the Banshee. Two missiles hit their mark, severing a wing, and Jun waits for the right moment to fire. He successfully shoots the Banshee down, watching it crash in flames.

Rosenda shoulder-bumps him for the strike. They approach the Academy's main entrance; before Jun can quip back at her slightly junior age, the bulkhead door opens, revealing Agryna and three other Spartans. Jun signals for them to follow him to the Pelican. Spartan Vesco boards first, followed by Dinh, Eklund, and finally Agryna.

Rosenda prepares for takeoff, and Agryna inquires about their destination. Jun informs her that they will head to the ''Symmetry'' for medical assistance before regrouping at [[Anvil Station]]. As the Pelican ascends, Agryna expresses regret about leaving Nysa, a sentiment Jun echoed leaving [[NOBLE Team]] behind during the [[Fall of Reach]]. He acknowledges the weight of their orders and the larger mission to protect humanity.

[[Seven]] minutes later at the training grounds locker room, Neely, [[Private]] [[Patton]], and a dozen other Marines take defensive positions outside the AI lab, preparing for what they know is their final stand. Their assault rifles serve as the sole bare light source, and they wait for the inevitable confrontation through improvised barricades. The muffled sounds of battle outside are fading, and doubt creeps in the Marines as they realize there is no escape.

Neely catches Patton cursing himself, his hands shaking as he aims his rifle at the door. She understands his fear, knowing that he might regret not boarding the Pelican to safety. Before she can offer comfort, a powerful force slams against the bulkhead door, jolting the Marines into alertness. The door is battered repeatedly, warping under the relentless assault until it finally gives way.

A shaft of light bursts through the door as a tall armored figure steps into the room, casting a long shadow over the Marines. The intruder, wielding a [[Halbashi Workshop Mutilator]], immediately slams a barricade, sending three  Marines crashing against the wall with a gravitic impact. The Marines fire back, but the intruder retaliates with a devastating blast from the Mutilator, spikes burrowing in Patton's left and dropping him silently, blood pooling around him.

As the intruder ascends the stairs and gravitically eliminates two more Marines, Neely catches a glimpse of many Jiralhanae entering the room, momentarily distracting her from the Banished Spartan. This lapse proves costly as she suddenly feels a powerful grip on her shoulder. Before she can react, the Mutilator's firing chamber is pressed against her heart.

Back at the AI lab after a dozen minutes, Zane strides inside, leaving behind overturned barricades and fallen bodies. She surveys the aftermath of the battle with a dispassionate gaze before ordering [[Jiralhanae Captain]] [[Praedus]] to bring a staff member forward: Hannah Roberts, her voice shaky but firm as she confronts Zane.

Zane demands that Roberts unshackle Iratus from its console. When Roberts hesitates, Zane makes it clear that this is not a negotiation and that mutual disappointment will follow delay. Roberts questions Zane's motives, but Zane disparages her empathic concerns, mockingly listing multiple choices including "[chipping] a tooth" and "[waking] up on the wrong side of the fucking dreadnought," before forcing her to proceed.

Roberts expresses her worries about the risks. Zane, however, remains confident that Iratus will find her accommodations more suitable. Roberts reluctantly moves to the central AI console and activates the release mechanism, ejecting the AI chip.

As Zane inspects the red-pulsing chip, Roberts' tone shifts to defiant sarcasm, but Zane pays little attention. She halfheartedly commends Roberts' bravery before gesturing for Praedus to carry out her orders. Violence echoes as Zane exits the lab, knowing that Praedus will efficiently execute her command; the Chief Engineer's grisly execution barely registers with the Banished Spartan as she inserts the AI chip into her helmet's port.

Immediately, Zane feels her vision tinge red and a chilling sensation coursing through her body as Iratus' presence settles in her mind. She greets Iratus with a courteous welcome.
{{Spoiler/end}}